Cheques: does anybody still use them?

[french frank]

Mine accepts credit cards but, for those who prefer not to pay using these, their preferred method of payment is direct bank transfer.

As a small private customer, I've never come across anyone who has asked to be paid by direct bank transfer, or even suggested it.

Those places will have to go chequeless when cheques are abolished

Looks as if cheques are safe for a few years to come, though.

"The Payments Council had planned to shut the central system used to clear cheques, which it said was designed to process a far higher volume than the 1bn cheques written last year, in 2018.

But the announcement caused instant uproar from consumer groups, charities and small businesses."

[VodkaDilc]

Er - no, actually; a handful of people would really like cheques to remain (and who pays for that) whereas more than a million people reveal that they want Radio 3 because they listen to it.

....and, according to FF, in message 46, that 'handful' of people wrote 1 billion cheques last year.

[MrGongGong]

Why not stop laughing and ask them? Mine accepts credit cards but, for those who prefer not to pay using these, their preferred method of payment is direct bank transfer.

I did
"Cash or cheque matey" being the answer
and I'm not going somewhere else as they are great

Those places will have to go chequeless when cheques are abolished .

I guess you don't go to some of the places I do then
cheques will not be gone in the rest of the world and many of us work in more places than the UK (or even Mainland Europe)

[ahinton]

But what's so special about cheques? They require to be manufactures, printed and distributed, the often have to be mailed and, even when they're given directly by payers to payees, the latter have to take them to a bank branch where someone has to be paid to process the beginning part of their crediting to the accounts in which they're to be paid - and then others within the banking system have to see that clearance process through to its completion. Isn't that several wastes of resources?

To Mr GG's car repair establishment that are good and will accept only cash or cheques, clearly one would not want to ditch them for another firm, but, again, why? Cash is always convenient, of course, because it's cleared funds that can be immediately re-used, but that's not so with cheques; that said, how many retailers have , in the past few years, put up signs advising that cheques are no longer accepted and where those wishing to continue to pay for goods or service by cheque will be forced to go elsewhere or pay other than by cheque?

Furthermore, many small firms, in my experience, don't even think about direct transfer until and unless asked about it by a customer; the window cleaners and the fellow who does abit of work on the garden here always accept direct transfers now, because they like to know that they've gotten the funds into their accounts immediately and they're now encouraging all their other customers to pay them this way (neither of them accept credit cards).

I receive payments from all over the world; I encourage those in UK and Western Europe to pay via direct transfer provided that they meet all fees for doing so (this can sometimes be problematic for people outside UK) and all others to use PayPal, which costs me (though considerably less than accepting credit cards as I once did) and those costs are tax deductible in any case - but at least there's no cost to the customer.

So - not only what's so special about cheques? - what's not to like about direct transfers?

I'm thinking of selling my cheque book at auction; I've had it since I joined by current bank in 1989 and I still have two cheques left in it - and I can feel confident that the auction house won't remit its net sale proceeds to me with a c****e...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A handful of people deserve the same respect as everyone else.

Like Radio 3 listeners.

[amateur51]

I'm thinking of selling my cheque bookat auction; I've had it since I joined by current bank in 1989 and I still have two cheques left in it...

So?

That's your experience and your preference

I thought the commercial watchword was 'choice'? .

[ahinton]

So?

That's your experience and your preference

I thought the commercial watchword was 'choice'? .

Perhaps it is, but it's not the only one; that of "cost" does figure, you know!

Actually, I always use a credit card for purchases whenever I can, as this reduces my liability to bank charges, so I do direct credits to people only when they don't accept credit cards.

[teamsaint]

1 bn is 15 /20 each for every single person.

more, if anything, if you knock AH off the head count .(in a good way, obviously !)

[ahinton]

1 bn is 15 /20 each for every single person.

more, if anything, if you knock AH off the head count .(in a good way, obviously !)

!!!

Also, try sending a direct transfer that will bounce - not! Bad thing for the banks, these pesky direct BACS transfers, you know; look at all those bounced cheque fees that they no longer get!

Mon Dieu! - how antediluvian is "I promise to pay the bearer on demand"? (or is it "I promise to demand a bear from the payer"?)

All that said, as I indicated before, if anyone wants to send me a cheque (that won't bounce!), I shall accept it graciously and appreciatively!

[amateur51]

!!!

Also, try sending a direct transfer that will bounce - not! Bad thing for the banks, these pesky direct BACS transfers, you know; look at all those bounced cheque fees that they no longer get!

All that said, as I indicated before, if anyone wants to send me a cheque (that won't bounce!), I shall accept it graciously and appreciatively!

May I send it to you written on the side of a Jersey cow?

Does the A P Herbert Misleading Cases story about this still apply, I wonder?

[marthe]

Plenty of small tradespeople still want cheques (or cash). If the invoice comes in by post, you probably can't pay by cash.


And nothing like Aunt Dahlia including a cheque with young nephew's birthday card.

(For some relatives, though, I have their bank details and just transfer any regular payments online).

Yes, this is why I still have check/cheque book. Young relatives enjoy getting a card with a check (or cash) enclosed. I have a freelance container/windowbox design business and get paid by check. My credit card payments are all online transactions. Cash comes in handy from time to time. My hairdresser prefers cash for payment, also for her tip. Most waitstaff prefer cash tips to credit card tips. I haven't used a check at the supermarket in quite a long time. I use my bank debit card for local shopping. The car dealership doesn't accept checks so it's cash or credit card when the car goes in for service.

[ahinton]

May I send it to you written on the side of a Jersey cow?

By all means, provided that the said cow is healthy and you send the whole cow and not just the side of it on which your cheque is written, for unless the sum you so kindly enquire about sending to me is quite large, I could almost certainly sell the cow, cheque and all, for quite abit more than the value of your cheque alone! (and this would not be hard for me to do as there is a dairy almost next door to me); my only concern, however, would be that you'd have to stump up the transportation expenses for the bovine cheque which would, I imagine, represent a not inconsiderable waste of your money...

[amateur51]

By all means, provided that the said cow is healthy and you send the whole cow and not just the side of it on which your cheque is written, for unless the sum you so kindly enquire about sending to me is quite large, I could almost certainly sell the cow, cheque and all, for quite abit more than the value of your cheque alone! (and this would not be hard for me to do as there is a dairy almost next door to me); my only concern, however, would be that you'd have to stump up the transportation expenses for the bovine cheque which would, I imagine, represent a not inconsiderable waste of your money...

Oh ok, I'll write it on an under-ripe banana - you'd better bank it before it goes spotty

[MrGongGong]

The problem with (and like many people I use a combination of all methods) BACS type transfers is that one has to be constantly thinking about looking at various bank accounts etc to check that the payments have been made...... tedious in the extreme and takes the mind away from writing music.

"What's not to like about direct transfers" ? .......... heres one thing.
I have several places to put money , a "Tax fund" account (that used to pay interest in the dim and distant past), Current accounts and sometimes elsewhere. When opting for BACS or similar systems one has to decide where the money will go. Like many self employed people my earnings fluctuate widely from month to month, sometimes I have no money whatsoever or even minus and at others have what seem like huge sums, that's the nature of being freelance and sometimes working a big projects etc SO one of the things that is useful is to be able to juggle where things go BUT without having to spend more than an unnecessary moment sorting it out. In the "old days" I sent an invoice, got sent a cheque and then decided where to put it, now with a mixture my choices are considerably reduced unless I spend time which I would rather spend on music looking at effing accounts. It's much easier for the folk paying BUT a pain in the arse for others.
There ARE situations where it works much better BUT sometimes I go and work at festivals in countries where they will only pay cash / cheque which seems fine by me.

[ahinton]

Oh ok, I'll write it on an under-ripe banana - you'd better bank it before it goes spotty

You asked if I would accept it written on the side of a Jersey cow and I said that I would under certain circumstances. I'd not accept it on a banana, I'm afraid; sorry. You'd better go buy that cow and make the necessary transportation arrangements.